Markham Nature Park and Arboretum

Don't forget about our 40% off sale today from 9a.m. - 1p.m. Whether you can make it or not, try to remember to thank a volunteer...anywhere!

Hope to see you tomorrow at our 40% off inventory closeout sale this Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. This beauty is waiting for you. Grevillea 'Red Hooks' This vigorous Australian shrub bursts with showy red flowers from mid-winter to spring. It needs no supplemental irrigation once established and tolerates moderate frosts. It also attracts hummingbirds and other nectar feeding birds. It can work as a specimen or a screening plant and can reach a height of 15 feet. ... Photo credit: Arti Kirch

Inquiring minds want to know why the nursery is closing. The physical demands of running a nursery are too much for our beloved but aging volunteers and younger people don't have the time (jobs, commuting, kids, etc.). Plus, even tho we are a non-profit, we have almost all the headaches of a small business. Don't think we didn't try to find replacements, either. Those of us who have given our heart and soul to the place are very sad about it.... So, if you come to our sale, please be sure to thank a volunteer for their years of service. Over the years, their devotion has brought you the cornucopia of beauty and pleasure in the form of plants to buy and the plants in the garden.

One of our glorious plants at our 40% off inventory closeout sale this Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Diablo Valley spotted emu bush (Eremophila maculata 'Diablo Valley')... Imagine a shrub smothered in petite orchids and you have the barest idea of this plant in bloom. It's happy in our inland heat and still cold-hardy down to 15F. We have the luck of a connection to Kathy Echols who developed this plant, so you definitely won't find this in any big box store. Give it good draining soil and an annual late spring pruning to keep it neat and robust. Photo credit: Arti Kirch

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime 40% off inventory close out sale this Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. You might want to get one of these. Scarlet Monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis)... I admit that this native likes moisture but I can't stop myself. That red - oh my. Found in wet areas throughout the American West, the plant's showy scarlet flowers are a hummingbird treasure trove. Plant in sun to part shade. Perfect beside a pond, stream or water feature. Trim as needed to keep tidy as it can easily grow to 2 ft. tall and wide Photo credit: Lara Hartley for desertusa.com

At our 40% off inventory closeout sale this Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. you can score a spectacular a CA native plant! California Flannelbush (Fremontodendron californicum)... An evergreen shrub with a long and sensational spring bloom. It grows 6'-12' wide x 12'-25' high and thrives in hot, dry conditions. When paired with ceanothus, which has blue-to-lavender flowers, the effect is heart-stopping. Photo credit: Arti Kirch

Thank you to everyone who came to the sale on Saturday. I hope you had fun -- we did! Although, I was just a wee bit disappointed that no one dared show up in pajamas. Next time? Also, one of our earliest bird customers picked up and bought one of the nursery's native CA milkweeds...and gained a (temporary) pet of a monarch caterpillar. They have rescued and raised caterpillars before so we feel lucky that they got this plant. Only about 1 out of every 20 caterpillars in the wild makes it to adulthood so this will greatly improve the chances for this little being's success. #californiamonarchs #markhampark #concord

Please share everywhere. We can help birds and pollinators by educating everyone. 97% of birds feed their young insects. No insects? No baby birds. More here: https://www.audubon.org/native-plants

Like animals? Like beer? Here's your chance for an amazing two-fer :)

This is always a great class and if you replace your lawn you can come to Markham and purchase all the plants you need for a low water garden! Our next sale is September 15th 9am-1pm

Herbs are Mediterranean plants that are beautiful, have multiple purposes including medicinal, edible and pollinator friendly! This a wonderful free event for the public and Rodgers Ranch is a lovely place to visit and an historical property in Pleasant Hill

Another good and FREE event with the Herb Society of Northern California. Many herbs are from the Mediterranean regions of the world and are a perfect addition to the dry garden!

Thanks for the shout out City of Concord!

This is always a great event!